Carbonation of Portland Cement Studied by Diffuse Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Carbonation is a natural ageing process for cement. This study focuses on how the carbonation rate varies with selected hydration times and atmospheric conditions during the early stages of reacting dried cement paste. Diffuse reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is shown to be a suitable technique to monitor the formation of carbonates in cement. Combined with a previously developed freeze drying technique, carbonation can be studied at specific hydration stages. In ambient air both calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) in cement are carbonated. Increased hydration time enhances the carbon dioxide uptake, which indicates that the calcium in the hydration products reacts more easily than the calcium in the clinker phase. In a humid CO2 atmosphere, the carbonation process is so pronounced that it decomposes C-S-H into calcium carbonate and silica. In a moist N-2 atmosphere no carbonation occurs, but the sulfate chemistry of the cement seems to be affected due to the formation of ettringite.